Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class John Suits | Airman Apprentice Seamus Perry graduated as the top Sailor from Recruit Training...... read more read more
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GREAT LAKES (NNS) – Airman Apprentice Seamus Perry graduated as the top Sailor from Recruit Training Command (RTC) Great Lakes, earning the Military Excellence Award (MEA) Apr. 9, 2026.
Perry, 19, of Ballincollig, Ireland, immigrated to the United States to seek better opportunities in service to the Navy.
“To be a part of something bigger than me, I believe in defending freedom and democracy around the world,” said Perry.
The Military Excellence Award is presented to the recruit who best demonstrates enthusiasm, devotion to duty, military bearing and teamwork throughout training. As part of the recognition, recipients receive a flag letter of commendation.
Perry believes his hard work and motivation were contributing factors for him earning the award.
“Receiving the MEA was never a goal of mine while in boot camp,” Perry said. “I believe I earned this award by putting 100% effort into everything I do. I never gave up on myself and always tried to help the division in any way I could.”
The challenge of boot camp, Perry says, was adjusting to the Navy’s way of life.
“The process of going from a civilian to a Sailor was a learning curve to say the least,” he said. “I had to change how I talked, walked and acted and that was the biggest challenge for me personally. With enough practice, I became more comfortable and now it feels second nature to me.”
Perry’s passion for fitness led him to participate in the Cork City Marathon in his home country with an expressed desire to participate in more races in the future.
“I prioritize physical and mental health and thoroughly enjoy running, swimming, and working out at the gym,” said Perry.
Aside from fitness, Perry’s also passionate about music with a specific taste in different genres ranging from R&B to country to blues.
“Playing the guitar is one of my all-time favorite things to do in my free time and it’s a skill that I am continuously trying to improve on,” he said.
His fitness regimen and personal hobbies aside, Perry contributes his continuous self-improvement and graduating boot camp to two words one of his Recruit Division Commanders (RDCs) said.
“Smartly disciplined,” Perry added. “I always reiterated this in my head, and I believe it contributed to my success in boot camp.”
Perry also credits a shipmate he befriended for helping him through the most challenging parts of basic training.
“He definitely contributed to my success at RTC,” he said. “From their knowledge of the Navy, customs and courtesies to their continuous support and motivation.”
His knowledge of the Navy also originates from his RDCs—Chief Hospital Corpsman Gregory Cooley, Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Jacob Mack, Electronics Technician 1st Class Peter May and Engineman 2nd Class Yesenia Vivero.
Following graduation, Perry will attend Naval Air Technical Training Center in Pensacola, Florida, for fundamental aviation knowledge to include basic crash-and-salvage, aircraft handling and support for take-off and landing.
Training at RTC is approximately nine weeks long, and all enlistees in the U.S. Navy begin their careers at the command. More than 40,000 recruits train annually at the Navy’s only boot camp.
| Date Taken: | 12.31.1969 |
| Date Posted: | 04.09.2026 09:59 |
| Story ID: | 562259 |
| Location: | GREAT LAKES, ILLINOIS, US |
| Hometown: | BALLINCOLLIG, C, IE |
| Web Views: | 83 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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